Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the extremist Islamic group has unleashed sweeping draconian policies to transform the nation into a more traditional society that espouses the moral and religious values of Sharia law. The banning of girls from secondary education, forcing women out of work, and extreme media censorship have made headlines, but an equally insidious campaign has largely been missed. The Taliban has focused on dismantling leisure and joy, with its latest target one of humanity's oldest pastimes: chess.
On May 11, Afghanistan's Ministry of Sports issued a declaration stating the game's indefinite suspension, elaborating that "religious concerns" needed to be properly addressed. This declaration came after Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the country's sports directorate, stated last year that the game was considered gambling under Sharia law. Until these religious objections are resolved, chess will remain in limbo.
The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice effectively dissolved the Afghanistan National Chess Federation (ANCF), an organization that governs chess competitions in the nation and represents Afghanistan in the World Chess Federation. Speaking with Chess.com, president of the ANCF Ghulam Ali Malak Zad said the suspension halted all of the federation's official operations, even restricting casual, non-competitive play in public spaces.
